Somalia forces capture southern town from Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Somali army Thursday captured a town in the southern region and killed at least seven Al-Shabaab militants, including four senior commanders, an officer said Thursday.

Somali army 43rd infantry division commander General Ismail Sahardid told journalists the forces launched an attack on Bar-Sanguni town, some 45 km south of the coastal city of Kismayo, before wresting control.

Sahardid did not comment on possible casualties on his forces. He added the forces seized two technicals from the militants.

Somali and African Union forces have increased ground and air offensives against the militant group Al-Shabaab in the last few months.

This came as African Union forces have started a conditions based draw-down from the Horn of Africa nation.

Kismayo was one of the strongholds of Al-Shabaab, with its port being used as the group's main revenue source, before it was forced out by Kenyan forces in 2012. Enditem